Senator GRIMES (Minister for Community Services)
—The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Government Operations tabled its interim report on non-statutory bodies of the Commonwealth in October 1984. The Government has noted the information presented in the report and the Committee's comments.

The interim report contains a recommendation that each department include in its annual report a list of all non-statutory bodies in the respective portfolios and indicate which non-statutory bodies have been created or abolished during the year under review. It is recommended that the list should include at least basic information regarding the principal activities of each non-statutory body, its membership, the terms of appointment and its staffing.

The Government accepts the Committee's recommendation. The attention of all departments will be drawn to the additional requirements to be met in the preparation of their annual reports. The Government has noted the further investigations in the area of non-statutory bodies which the Committee intends to pursue. While recognising the difficulties associated with the disparate nature of the bodies and their often short lifespan, the Government welcomes the planned work.